One Year of Fulfilling Bengalis’ Great Dream

 

Putting an end to all discussions, criticisms and speculations, our dream's bridge—the Padma Bridge was finally inaugurated on June 25, 2022. The dream of Bengalis becomes true and the capability of Bengalis is proven by this. As such, one year of (25 June 2022 to 25 June 2023) Bengali's dream on Padma Bridge has been fulfilled today. In the last one year, the income of the government from Padma Bridge has been Tk 774 crore.

The extent to which the Padma Bridge has brought benefits to the country cannot be overstated. One of the new doors of tourism sector in the country was opened with the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.

There is no end to the interest of people in this kind of gray two-story structure that stands in the middle of the rushing waters of the rapid river. People have different feelings and excitement around the dream's bridge. The much-awaited Padma Bridge is a unique example of fulfilling the dream of the people of the southern part of Bengal, as well as a new possibility of earning a living for the people of that regions.

The Padma Bridge connects the Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj with the Jajira of Shariatpur district and the northeast with other districts in the south and south-west. And it will make a vast contribution to social, economic and industrial development. The Padma Bridge has connected 21 districts in the south and south-west of the country. The Padma Bridge, a long-awaited dream of the people of this region, is now a reality. Along with Dhaka, a new door will be opened in the economic sector of Mongla Port, Barisal, Kuakata, Payra Port, Khulna, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur and other districts in the south-west. As a result of the Padma Bridge, about 30 million people in the south-west will be benefited directly. Regarding the role of the Padma Bridge in the country's economy, the World Bank had earlier said that if the Padma bridge is implemented, the GDP growth rate will increase by 1.2 percent. And every year poverty will be reduced to 0.84 percent.

The Padma Bridge is being considered as a very important infrastructure for the country's transport network and regional development. The two banks of the Padma Bridge have already become tourist destinations. Almost every day thousands of tourists visit the two banks of the Padma to see the aesthetic beauty. At Mawa and Shariatpur, restaurants, resorts, hotels and motels have been set up. Work is underway to establish a weaving village at Jajira in the landing point of the Padma Bridge. Many well-known local companies are investing in these areas which will contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.

The people concerned in the sector are seeing the possibility of developing the tourism industry in the south and south-west of the country with the launch of the Padma Bridge. They say the Padma Bridge will change the tourism map of the country. As a result, the mangrove forest Sundarbans and Sagarkanya Kuakata can be reached in the fastest time. The launch takes 12 to 14 hours to reach Kuakata via Patuakhali. However, if we go through the Padma bridge, we can reach there in half the time. With the inauguration of the Lebukhali Bridge in Patuakhali in October last year, the journey has become easier. As a result of the Padma Bridge, there is a huge potential in the tourism industry around Bagerhat including the world heritage Sundarbans and the sixty-domed mosque. If the government and the forest department take an integrated and effective action plan to make use of this potential, its speed will be further accelerated.

For so long, Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj was crowded with people crossing the river. With the opening of the Padma Bridge, the ghat now takes shape in silence. However, this ghat becomes a center for relieving the fatigue of the citizens at night. The surrounding area will once again be a tourist destination around the Padma Bridge. Apart from this, the number of tourists will increase in the scenic places of South Bengal. This will give life to tourism in this vast area. Nur Hossain, a hotelier from Shimulia Ghat, said that even though the shift of the ghat is over, the people who come to walk along the river and eat hilsa will be crowded on the way to the Padma Bridge. Now they are bracing for that hope. Many of the Mawa-Jazira people have changed their profession and are now leaning towards new tourism-oriented businesses. Public and private tourism entrepreneurs have also started preparing for new services.

With the launch of the Padma Bridge, the country's second largest beach Kuakata, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira along the world heritage Sundarbans-centric tourism will be revived. Besides respiratory forests Tengragiri in Taltoli upazila of Barguna, Shubhasandhya beach, Haringhata forest of Patharghata, Durgasagar dighi of Barisal, Shaplabil of Satla, floating guava market of Pirojpur and Jhalakathi, Char Kukri Mukri of Bhola, and Manpura island could be a new tourist destination.

With the opening of the Padma Bridge, various entertainment arrangements for tourists have started on both sides of the road connecting in the two banks. Tea-coffee shops, food hotels, restrooms and lovely passenger tents have also been constructed at various places. A few interesting spots have been constructed for the visitors next to the Round Square at the crossroads of Bhangar in Faridpur. Infrastructure development is going on one after another in Dapadapiya, Airport, Goriya Par, Shikarpur areas of Barisal on both sides of the highway. And all these are targeting to the Padma bridge. The 10-and-a-half-kilometer river management area built for the Padma Bridge from Jajira's Naodoba to Shibchar's Madbarchar is now a spectacular entertainment spot. Hundreds of people are flocking there every day to see the bridge up close.

The precondition for the development of tourism is the development of security and communication system. The Padma Bridge will revolutionize the communication system with the southern part of the country and other regions. The bridge is expected to play an enviable role in the country's economic growth.

At present, one of the attractions of travel lovers is the Padma Bridge. This bridge can also change the pace of tourism in the country. Meanwhile, travel agencies are also planning various travel packages around the Padma Bridge.

Traders from other parts of the country, including the capital, will be able to transport goods in a short period of time and import and export through Mongla port will be dynamic and export earnings will increase. Kuakata Beach (where sunrise and sunset can be seen), the small islands of adjoining Mangrove Forest of Sundarbans can be made tourist attractions like the Maldives, and there are lots of opportunities to develop wildlife tourism around the Sundarbans.

It is possible to attract a large number of international tourists if tourist centers like the neighboring countries India and Maldives are built around the various chars in the southern part. The amount of time it takes to go from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar--- Tourists will reach Kuakata and the Sundarbans in less than half the time if they go through the Padma Bridge.

The long-term plan calls for the launch of bullet trains with the Payra Seaport. If this is implemented, the communication system with other tourist destinations including Kuakata will be further improved which will play a helpful role in attracting domestic and foreign tourists.

Every year, 45 cruise ships sail from India via Cooch Behar-Chennai-Goa to neighboring Sri Lanka and Myanmar. However, if these cruises can be attracted to the Payra Seaport, the number of international tourists will increase significantly. The Padma Bridge will make Mongla and Payra ports dynamic which will make a vast contribution to blue economy.

Coastal areas of Bangladesh such as Kuakata, Mongla Port and Payra Port are creating new areas for sea tourism. Timely integrated initiatives in river-based and sea-based tourism will implement the goal of inclusive and sustainable development as well as create employment opportunities, strengthen the national economy. However, in order to attract international tourists, the Padma Bridge and the tourist attractions in the south need to be digitally branded by making small promos.

The Padma Bridge is our great achievement. Where the whole world said that Bangladesh will not be able to build the Padma Bridge. Eventually, Bangladesh has built the Padma Bridge with its own funds. It is a great example of the courage and ability of the Bengali nation. The Padma Bridge has opened now for traffic. There is a lot of potential around this Padma bridge. As to build the Padma bridge, various industries will be set up in the surrounding areas---which was previously unimaginable. And this will open the door to new possibilities in the country's economy. For this, the country and country's economy will be prosperous.

Besides, the question of pollution generally comes up as a result of the development of industrial establishments. So we have to be careful of pollution. We have to be vigilant so that the Padma is not polluted due to industrialization. Moreover, since the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, various unwanted and unpleasant incidents have taken place. To avoid these unwanted and unpleasant incidents, the Padma Bridge should be brought under surveillance like the round-the-clock security system. The Padma Bridge is our place of pride. We have had to face many obstacles and challenges in building this bridge. Overcoming all obstacles and challenges, we have finally succeeded to build the bridge. This bridge is mine, yours and ours. And it is the responsibility of all of us to upkeep this bridge and protect its dignity.


Emran Emon is a researcher,
journalist and columnist.